Column: Are the Days of People Writing on Social Media Over?

11 PM. Ratul is scrolling through his smartphone screen. Spending time on social media has become his routine to unwind after a long day. As he scrolls through Facebook, he is delighted by one story, poem, and beautiful photo after another. Suddenly, he notices an amazing post his friend shared—a poem, with wonderful language, emotion, and depth. He shares the poem instantly. But just a minute later, his friend tells him, “Actually, this poem was created by AI.”

Is that really true? Is it not humans, but machine-generated writing that’s touching our emotions so deeply now? The reality is, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become one of the main driving forces behind today’s social media. Not just poems or stories—AI is increasingly present in images, videos, and even audio content. AI technology is now visible even in major films and popular songs.

According to a recent study, by 2026, around 48% of content on social media will be generated using AI technology, which was only 39% in 2024. This statistic from an international tech company points to a new reality ahead. Experts believe this number may grow even more rapidly in the coming years.

Dr. Kazi Anisur Rahman, Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, says, “Human writing has always embodied emotion and creativity, but with the pace at which AI is advancing, it seems the need for human writing will decrease in the future. However, this could have a long-term negative impact on creativity and originality. There are concerns about whether human experience, culture, and tradition will still be reflected through writing.”

The younger generation generally sees AI’s rise as positive. Samiha, a student at a private university, says, “AI helps me go viral quickly. My follower count has increased. Using AI, it’s easy to create high-quality posts. It saves time and helps reach more people.”

But on the other hand, there are deep concerns. Author and poet Syed Manzoorul Islam warns, “It is important to ensure that spaces for human thought, intellect, and creativity are not overtaken by AI. Technology should assist us, not control us. Writing is not just a means of communication, but a crucial medium of self-expression.”

Analysts say the trend of content going viral on social media is fueling AI’s use. Advertisers are also drawn to this, as quickly viral content plays a major role in advertising revenue. Economic reasons are driving growing demand for AI-generated content. One study shows that by 2031, the market for AI-based social media could reach nearly 12 billion dollars.

Technology experts believe that in the future, humans and AI can coexist. But that coexistence will need to be careful and balanced. They are hopeful that human sensitivity, discernment, and awareness are qualities that will always set human writing apart. As AI is making its way into every field, protecting human diversity and originality will remain a big challenge.

As Ratul keeps scrolling, he wonders, are the days of human-written content truly over, or is a new era just beginning? Perhaps only time will tell.